[78-L] 78-L Digest, Vol 11, Issue 59

[Steven C. Barr]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Malcolm Smith" <malcolms at redshift.com>
> Not so easy to adjust the speed to help the singer with high notes.  
> Remember that there is typically a piano accompaniment.
> 
BUT...only that pianist knew in which key he/she/it had been playing!
Thus, if a numer was recorded at, say, 70rpm...and played back at
77/78rpm...the singer gained considerable "apparent" range!
>
> There was more singing of operatic works in lowered or raised keys in  
> the early period. The opera companies often had scores for arias and  
> parts that were transposed.
> 
>  On early records, the reality is that the speeds are all over the  
> map. Pitch is not always based on 440 and the turntables were not  
> well regulated. A fair number of early records change speed as one  
> listens to them.
> 
True...most record companies used a gravity-driven "weight" system
to drive their recording turntables! As well, the "accuracy" of the "78"
speed was generally open to question...at least into the forties. I am
a harmonicist...and my instruments come from their "factory" stamped
with their key! Some years ago, I set out to learn Waller's "Your
Feets Too Big" from the BB 78...and discovered it played in a key
best described as "Eb+1/2...?!"

Steven C. Barr
>
> We refer to 78s, but outside the US, this was not a standard speed  
> for acoustic records. It's very unfortunate that collections are  
> being issued with little trouble being taken to pitch the originals  
> correctly.
> 
> Malcolm Smith.
> 
> 
> On Aug 28, 2009, at 8:27 PM, 78-l-request at klickitat.78online.com wrote:
> 
>>  Question on G & T recording speed from 1902
> 
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